Introduction to Melodic Improvising: Harmony and the Tonal Map

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In this excerpt from the video course, I demonstrate how to use the IFR Tonal Map to study any chord progression.
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The jam track played in this video was from our IFR Jam Tracks Level 2, Pure Harmony:
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[@ImproviseForReal]

Hi! Thank you for watching this video! Have you tried improvising melodically using the IFR Tonal Map to orient yourself through the flow of harmony? Please share your experiences in the comments below. If you have any doubts or questions I'll be happy to address them in the comment section as well. And don't forget to subscribe! :)

[@wolfgangmichel701]

Through this course I have gained a new self-image as a musician. Boundaries and limiting thinking have been dissolved: I can better recognize, feel and play music. Jelske brings in so many ideas and approaches that it always remains exciting. I can recommend this course to everyone. ( Wolfgang , Guitar, Germany)

[@Fluteski1]

(Sandy Czerwinski, /Flute/ US)
"This course was so wonderful and a lot of fun. I learned so much. I've always had this phobia about playing improv in public with other instruments/people. I have been asked so many times to join in with a group playing improv. I just could not do it. I even struggled to play with backing tracks. This course has taught me so much and given me so much confidence. It has inspired me to go further with my music. The approach to improv is so different and interesting. Jelske, you are a wonderful teacher. You made everything very clear and your feedback was so encouraging. I can't wait to work with you again!

[@ImproviseForReal]

Hi Sandy, thank you so much for sharing your experience with Jelske's workshop! I'm so happy that you're connecting with your musical voice and opening up new possibilities! - David

[@ImproviserenmetJelske]

Thank you Sandy! It was lovely to have you in the workshop. See you soon! - Jelske

[@danielirilarry]

Yes, it's perfect. It is another way to see what happens with chords and moving melody. Clear and helpful.
Thanks again!

[@attomwanga9438]

Very short clip,but precise, thanks!

[@danielirilarry]

I can't keep watching 'cause I have to go out. But I know very well it's going to be very useful so I put a thumb up in advance!
After watching entirely the video lesson I'll tell you my impression.
Thanks!

[@mitsuo233]

Great tutorial! Are you using the Bb scale because the backing track is in this scale? Thanks!

[@ImproviseForReal]

Yes, everything in this video applies equally to every key, which is one of the advantages of learning to think relative to the key in tonal numbers. So this could have been demonstrated in any key. Jelske just chose a key at random, choosing Bb for the backing track. And so the notes she was using in her demonstration were the notes of the Bb major scale. Thanks for the question!

[@papie5151]

I think I finally understand the tonal map. Its basically the scale of each chord with chord tones circled. When playing is there a method in choosing the chord tones or is it random?

[@ImproviseForReal]

Hi Papie, thanks for your question. The chord notes are not random at all. Those are always the root, 3rd, 5th and 7th of whatever the chord root happens to be. What we're doing in this exercise is discovering where these chord notes actually reside within the octave, and observing the beautiful melodic connections between them. These obviously aren't the only notes available to us as improvisers, so this video is not a "hot to" video about what notes to play in your solo. It's an exploration of the chord notes themselves, which will help you feel much more oriented later when you're improvising your own melodies over this progression.